The music world is reeling from explosive sex abuse allegations against two of its biggest stars, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Garth Brooks, signaling a potential #MeToo reckoning long overdue.
Rapper Diddy, arrested on September 16, faces federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. An indictment alleges he ran a criminal enterprise through his businesses, using coercion, threats, and violence to exploit victims.
“He’s going to fight this with all of his energy and all of his might and the full confidence of his lawyers. And I expect a long battle with a good result for Mr. Combs,” Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, said.
David P. Shapiro, a San Diego criminal defense lawyer, notes, “Sexual assault victims have been silenced, fearing they won’t be believed or heard.”
Diddy’s case echoes the 2017 #MeToo movement, which largely bypassed the music industry. However, R. Kelly’s 2021 conviction on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges may have paved the way for accountability.
“Victims coming forward to speak out against alleged accusers will change the music industry for the better,” Shapiro says.
Meanwhile, country music legend Garth Brooks faces allegations of raping his former makeup artist, “Jane Roe,” in 2019. Brooks denies the claims, filing a countersuit.
“For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars,” Brooks stated.
Brand expert Doug Eldridge cautions, “It’s too soon to say if #MeToo is truly happening in the music industry… The scope and scale of allegations against Diddy paint a broader, perhaps darker, picture.”
As the music industry grapples with these allegations, Shapiro emphasizes, “Time, and a jury of 12, will likely have the final word.”
